Infographic: Our Growing Resistance to Antibiotics

The development of antibiotics in the 20th century was revolutionary. For the first time in history, we were equipped to combat previously incurable infectious diseases such as strep throat and tuberculosis, and the mortality rates associated with those diseases declined markedly. Widespread exposure in the current age, however, threatens to undo this incredible progress as more strains of bacteria become resistant to even our most powerful antibiotics.

The CDC classisfies antibiotic-resistant bacteria – or “superbugs” – as one of the most “pressing health threats to face the world today.” This is because the more we are exposed to antibiotics, the more resistant our bodies become to their treatment.